Call to abolish ICE gains momentum

Emerging several months ago as a marginal social media campaign, the clamour to abolish the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has gained traction among progressive democrats in recent weeks. As the 2018 midterms loom, and disturbing news regarding separation of migrant families abound, numerous Democratic candidates have publicly denounced the agency and incorporated the ‘Abolish ICE’ mantra into their political platform.

ICE was created in 2003 under President Bush as a sub-agency of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and was designed to handle all arrests and deportations of unauthorised immigrants. While the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (NIS) – which was the sole entity in charge of immigration issues until 2003 – lacked sufficient resources to enact strict domestic enforcement of immigration policies, ICE was supplied with ample funding to do precisely that, and has altered the reality for immigrants in the United States. Though some of its functions are necessary and positive (such as tackling human, sex, and drug trafficking), ICE rapidly evolved into a merciless deportation force, inspiring endless fear and pain among immigrant communities across the country.

In a February 2018 online announcement, Florida House Candidate Chardo Richardson has put forth an elaborate immigration reform suggestion, which consists of, among other stipulations, the immediate abolishment of ICE, stating that: “ICE destroys the lives of millions of hardworking undocumented Americans and tears apart countless families. While keeping our country safe is important, ICE does little more than increase dangerous militarisation and targets vulnerable undocumented Americans who are simply looking to make a living for themselves and their families.”

Since then, Richardson’s agenda to dismantle ICE (initially viewed as quixotic and extreme) has been echoed by some of the most prominent voices of the progressive left. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, who last week won the New York Democratic House primary, has made abolishing ICE a main issue in her campaign. Cynthia Nixon, who is currently running for Governor of New York, has remarked, “ICE has strayed so far away from its mission. It is supposed to be here to keep Americans safe but what it has turned into, frankly, is a terrorist organization of its own that is terrorizing people who are coming to this country.” Calls to overhaul or altogether dismantle ICE have also been chanted by sitting Democratic senators and congress members, such as Kirsten Gillibrand, Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, and Rep Mark Pocan of Wisconsin, who plans to introduce a bill calling for the abolishment of the agency.

The raising demand hasn’t gone unchallenged, however, and has drawn substantial criticism from both sides of the isle. Several Republicans, including President Trump and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, have blamed Democrats calling to abolish ICE for aiding criminals and putting the safety of the nation at risk. Some prominent Democrats have also expressed their concern at the rapidly growing movement, fearing that such ‘extreme’ views will alienate voters in the November 2018 midterm elections.

Regardless of whether calls to get rid of ICE will in fact materialise into any sort of action, the wave of protest against it nonetheless solidifies immigration as a core issue in the upcoming elections, and encourages Americans to review and reconsider their nation’s treatment of immigrants.